LSU’s Leonard Fournette was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy before the Alabama game, but it turns out he’s not even a finalist. Fournette did not receive an invitation to be in New York City, when the Heisman will be handed out Saturday. LSU Coach Les Miles says not winning the Heisman, or finishing as a Heisman finalist, will likely motivate Fournette to have an even better year next season…
cut 12 (02) “bit differently”
Even though Fournette played one less game than scheduled, he still broke the LSU single season rushing record by compiling 1,741 yards.

ULM’s committee in charge of finding a new football coach says they’ve narrowed the pool of candidates down to a handful of indviduals. No names were released. Student athlete committee member Gerrand Johnson says the next coach has to have a proven winning record, provide dynamic leadership and open to innovation. Another committee member said the next coach has to have a desire to recruit local talent.

The Pelicans are off today after a poor performance last night at home against Boston. The Celtics outworked New Orleans in 111 to 93 victory. The loss drops the Pels record to five and 16. Quiet game for Anthony Davis as he scored 16 points and had just six rebounds.

In college hoops tonight…the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs look for their 34th straight victory at the TAC when they host LSU-Shreveport. The Southern Jaguars are looking to make it six in a row when they take on Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. And the 1-6 Northwestern State Demons are on the road to face the 6-1 and 25th ranked Baylor Bears.

LSU’s Ben Simmons has been named the SEC Player of the Week. He averaged 29 points and 16 rebounds in two games last week.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is still not happy with the referees who officiated Sunday’s 41-38 loss to Carolina. Payton says there were three times the Panthers had 12 men in the huddle, but yet they were not penalized.

LSU’s Leonard Fournette was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy before the Alabama game, but it turns out he’s not even a finalist. Fournette did not receive an invitation to be in New York City, when the Heisman will be handed out on Saturday. Coach Les Miles says the cancelling of the McNeese game hurt Fournette’s chances…

cut 10 (11) “that night”

Miles says not winning the Heisman or finishing as a Heisman finalist will likely motivate Fournette to have an even better year next season.

LSU’s Ben Simmons has been named the SEC basketball player of the week. Simmons scored 43 points in the Tigers’ win over North Florida last week. Those 43 points are the most by an SEC player in 6 years and the most by an SEC freshman since 1990. The Tigers are 4-3 on the season and return to the court Sunday at Houston.

The Boston Celtics downed the Pelicans last night 111-93. The Boston backcourt of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley outscored the Pelicans’ starting guards, Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans, 33-0 in the game. Ryan Anderson led the Pels with 18 points followed by Anthony Davis with 16. The Pelicans are now 5-16 and will host Washington Friday night.

Tonight on the college hardwood, the 6-1 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs host LSU-Shreveport. The Southern Jaguars are looking to make it six in a row when they take on Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. And the 1-6 Northwestern State Demons are on the road to face the 6-1 and 16th ranked Baylor Bears.

Saints radio network color analyst Hokie Gajan will miss at least this Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay as he will begin chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Gajan revealed the diagnosis last month, although he did not specify the exact type of cancer. Former running back Deuce McAllister will fill in for Gajan in the broadcast booth.

When LSU takes on Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl on December 29th, it will be a contrast of styles on offense. The Tigers ground and pound philosphy, against the Red Raiders, who are ranked second nationally in offense, averaging almost 600 yards per game and 47 points a contest. Coach Les Miles says it will be a good test for the Tigers defense….
cut 17 (19) “…match-up”

Frank Beamer’s final game as head coach of Virginia Tech will be in Shreveport as his Hokies will face Tulsa in the Camping World Independence Bowl on December 26th. Beamer won his first bowl game in Shreveport in the 1993 Indy Bowl. He announced his retirement earlier this year.

Louisiana Tech is heading to the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl where the Bulldogs will play Arkansas State on December 19th. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz is looking forward to the game…
cut 7 (06) “…get too”
It’s only the second time in school history that Tech will appear in back-to-back bowl games and its the Bulldogs first appearance in the New Orleans Bowl.

No bowl game for UL Lafayette this season. After four consecutive trips to the New Orleans Bowl, the Cajuns finished the 2015 campaign with a four and eight record. UL Lafayette ended its regular season with a 41-17 loss to Troy.

The Saints are now four-and-eigth after another frustrating loss. New Orleans had a chance to hand Carolina its first loss of the season, but the Black and Gold could not hold on to a fourth quarter lead and lost to the Panthers 41-38. The Saints have lost four in a row and they are at Tampa Bay this Sunday.

The 20th ranked LSU Tigers will play Texas Tech in the 10th annual Advocare V-100 Texas Bowl on December 29th in Houston. Coach Les Miles is excited about the bowl invite…

cut 16 (18) “for us”

The Red Raiders are ranked second nationally in offense, averaging almost 600 yards per game and 47 points a contest.

In other bowl matchups, Louisiana Tech will take on Arkansas State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 19th.

Tulsa and Virginia Tech will meet up in Shreveport December 26th in the Camping World Independence Bowl.

And Oklahoma State and Ole Miss will square off in the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s night in New Orleans.

McNeese State was ousted from the FCS playoffs Saturday following a 34-29 loss to Sam Houston State.

Quarterback Brandon Silvers threw three first quarter touchdowns as Troy defeated UL-Lafayette Saturday night 41-17. Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire ran for 75 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort. The Cajuns end the season with a 4-8 record.

And ULM finished the season ending their nine game losing streak by defeating New Mexico State 42-35.

The Saints nearly handed Carolina its first loss of the season, but Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw five touchdown passes to help the NFC South champs escape the Big Easy with a 41-38 victory. Saints QB Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes in the hard fought defeat…

cut 19 (15) “that one”

The Saints fall to 4-8 and they’ve now lost four in a row.

A state judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed on behalf of Amite High School in an effort to toss the football team’s suspension from the Class 3A playoffs. The LHSAA suspended Amite after a bench clearing fight in their last game. Tangipahoa Parish School System attorney Chris Moody says they are disappointed in the ruling but the legal battle is over…:
CUT 11 (07) “young men”
Legal analyst Tim Meche says the ruling isn’t surprising as it’s typical of courts to not get involvd in matters of high school athletics…:
cut 10 (11) “the case here”
The decision means that St. James High will automatically advance to the Class 3A championship game.

The select football championships began Friday. Notre Dame beat Riverside 13-3 in Division 3 and Southern Lab was over St. Mary’s in Division 4.

The Saints are a touchdown underdog heading into Sunday’s matchup with undefeated Carolina. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees says they’ll have to execute at a high level to beat the Panthers…:
cut 18 (14) “…good execution”
Kickoff Sunday is 3:25pm on FOX.

Grambling State goes after its first SWAC title since 2011 when they take on Alcorn State in Houston Saturday. The Tigers have come a long way since winning just one game in 2013. Broderick Fobbs took over as head coach in 2014 and one of the first things he did was to show he cares about the players…:
cut 16 (18) “comes to anything”

And in college football Saturday, McNeese State hosts Sam Houston State in a second round FCS playoff that kicks off at 6.

A state judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Tangipahoa Parish School System on behalf of Amite High School in an effort to lift the football team’s suspension from the Class 3A playoffs. Legal analyst Tim Meche says courts around the country have consistently deferred getting involved in matters of high school athletics…

cut Meche 02 (11) “the case here”

The LHSAA removed the Amite team from the playoffs after a bench clearing brawl broke out in their quarterfinal win.

Grambling State takes on Alcorn State tomorrow in Houston for the SWAC championship. The Tigers come into the title game with an undefeated conference record, including a 35-34 win over the Braves earlier this year. Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs anticipates another great game….

cut 17 (11) “puts in place”

Kickoff is at 3PM and it will be televised on ESPNU.

McNeese State will face Southland conference rival, Sam Houston State, in a second round FCS playoff contest tomorrow in Cowboy Stadium. The Cowboys topped the Bearkats 27-10 in conference play on November 7th. The game starts at 6PM and you can watch on ESPN3. The winner will face the winner of the James Madison-Colgate game in the quarterfinals.

The Saints are a touchdown underdog heading into Sunday’s matchup against the hottest team in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is the only undefeated team in the league, while the Saints are mired in a three-game losing streak and are out of the playoff picture. Saints quarterback Drew Brees says they have to stop making the mistakes that keep them from winning…

cut 19 (17) “that around”

Sunday’s game has a 3:25PM kickoff and you can watch on Fox.

Today a state judge will hear the case regarding the LHSAA’s decision to remove the Amite football team from the Class 3A playoffs following a bench clearing brawl in the quarterfinals…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The select football championships are today….The Division IV State title game is at 10 AM St. Mary’s versus Southern Lab. And the game of the day is the Division III championship at 1:30 between Riverside and Notre Dame of Crowley.

And in college football tomorrow, McNeese State hosts Sam Houston State in a second round FCS playoff that kicks off at 6.

Grambling State goes after its first SWAC title since 2011 when they take on Alcorn State in Houston Saturday. The Tigers have come along since winning just one game in 2013. Broderick Fobbs took over as head coach in 2014 and one of the first things he did was to show he cares about the players…

cut 16 (18) “comes to anything”

G-S-U defeated Alcorn earlier this year 35-34.

The Saints are a touchdown underdog heading into Sunday’s matchup with undefeated Carolina. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees says they’ll have to execute at a high level to beat the Panthers…

cut 18 (14) “…good execution”

In an article by the The Baton Rouge Business Report, LSU President F King Alexander says the decision to keep Les Miles as the Tigers head coach was made during the Texas A-and-M game. The cost to buyout Miles contract was 15-million dollars and it was to be paid by private donors, but Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Alexander makes it clear in the article that the PR hit would have been tremendous either way…
cut 12 (07) “…that matters”
Alexander says the strong show of support from the public for Miles to remain the head coach also went into the decision.

In other LSU news…right hander pitcher Jake Godfrey is transferring from the baseball team to attend a junior college.

Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts UL Lafayette in the Sun Belt opener for both teams.

The Saints have the opportunity to hand Carolina its first loss of the season when they host the Panthers on Sunday. Coach Sean Payton dismisses the idea that beating Carolina would make their season…
cut 20 (18) “…is on”
Kick-off is at 3:25.

The Ragin Cajuns are preparing to host Troy on Saturday. A win would improve UL Lafayette’s record to 5-7 and that could be good enough to get a bowl invite. Coach Mark Hudspeth says a team with a losing record doesn’t desrve a bowl bid, but he’ll take it, if offered…
cut 18 (16) “….give ya”
Kick-off against Troy is at 4 PM.

The Saints host the 11-0 Carolina Panthers at the Superdome for a 3:25 kickoff this Sunday. Panthers QB Cam Newton is having an MVP type season. Coach Sean Payton says Newton is generating a lot of big plays…
cut 19 (18) “…poised and confident”
The Saints are 4-5 against the Panthers since 2011 when Newton joined Carolina.

According to business-report-dot-com, LSU President F King Alexander says the final decision on whether to keep Les Miles as head coach was not make until after a halftime meeting during the A-and-M game. Alexander says the cost of the buyout, even though university funds would not be used and the show of public support for Miles went into the decision.

LSU freshman Ben Simmons scored whopping 43 points as the Tigers ended a three-game losing streak by beating North Florida 119 to 108. It’s the first time an LSU player scored 43 points in a game since Shaquille O’ Neal did it in 1991.

Tonight, ULM and UL Lafayette begin Sun Belt play by playing each other in Monroe. The two teams play a different style of basketball. The Cajuns are averaging 96 points a game, while Warhawks like to slow it down as they averaging just over 61 points a contest. Tip-off is at 7:00.

And the ULM football team closes out its regular season on Saturday with a home game against New Mexico State. The Warhawks are looking to snap a 10-game losing streak. Interim head coach John Mumford admits the losing has taken its toll…
cut 17 (17) “…winning games”
ULM is a three-point favorite. Kick-off is at 2 PM.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee has removed the Amite football team from the Class 3A playoffs as a result of a benches clearing fight that erupted in a quarterfinal victory over Bogalusa. LHSAA sportsmanship rules say that players who leave the bench area during a fight are automatically suspended for the next game. Tangipahoa School system attorney Chris Moody says they believe the punishment doesn’t fit what happened towards the end of the game…
cut 14 (11) “…next game”
If the LHSAA’s ruling stands, St. James advances to the Three-A title game where they’ll play the winner of Friday night’s semifinal contest between West Felciana and Lutcher.

ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reports the Taxslayer Bowl is considering either LSU or Georgia as the SEC representative in their bowl. And McMurphy also reports from Georgia coach Mark Richt is heading to his alma mater Miami to be the head coach of the Hurricanes.

Grambling State quarterback Johnathan Williams has been named the SWAC offensive player of the year, while Grambling’s Broderick Fobbs has been named coach of the year. Grambling faces Alcorn State on Saturday for the SWAC title.

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when they host North Florida. The Tigers are coming off a 70-58 loss to College of Charleston. In that game, LSU shot 31-percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers.

The Pelicans are at Houston tonight. Both teams have been a disappointment in the Western Conference. The Rockets already have fired their head coach, Kevin McHale. Houston is 3-4 under interim head coach JB Bickerstaff. James Harden is averaging close to 30 points a game for the Rockets.